Adam Wainwright (SP-STL)
Adam Wainwright was the loser this evening giving up 5 runs (4 ER) in 6 innings while walking 3 and striking out 2. He has been an absolute stud pitcher since 2009 but the fact is that despite his 15-8 record there have been a few troubling signs. His K% has dropped to just over 7 K's/9 innings which is the first time that he has not been over 8 since 2008. Since July, his K% is under 6K/9 innings and his walks/9 innings have raised to about 3. Wainwright's velocity is down to 90.5 from last season's 91.5 and his more effective cutter this season is not enough to make up for the slip in the movement on his fastball. His swinging strike rate of 8.5% is his lowest since 2007. Even a very favorable .267 BABIP has not been able to stem this negative trend. Entering his 33 year, he has logged almost 1100 innings since 2009 and I would not be surprised that even Wainwright has started to succumb to this level of workload.
Mike Minor (SP-ATL)
Mike Minor pitched a brilliant game tonight going 7.2 innings and giving up 1 run on 1 hit walking 4 and striking out 5. His bid for a no-hitter was broken up with 2 outs in the 8th and he was not involved in the decision. After a simply awful season marred by shoulder soreness and poor performance, Mike Minor has pitched well in his last three starts and is positioning himself for a late season surge. He has given up only 6 runs in his last 24 innings and all 3 outings have been Quality Starts. Let's not forget that last season Minor was a budding ace on the Atlanta staff with a 13-9 record supported by a 3.22 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. His velocity this month is back up to his 92 mph level of last season which is a very good sign that his shoulder woes are over. A 6-4 lefthander and only 26 years old he is still available in 27% of CBS Leagues so go out and grab him now for the stretch run.
Jedd Gyorko (2B-SD)
Jedd Gyorko could be one of those players this year that determines the winner of many fantasy leagues this season. Left for dead after a horrific start and a debilitating foot injury, Gyorko has batted .301, hit 4 HR's, driven in 20 and scored 10 runs in the 92 plate appearance he has had since returning on 7/28. Now he probably won't be a .300 hitter the remainder of the way since he has benefited from a .368 BABIP, but his .205 ISO and .506 slugging percentage is legit. Gyorko had a .195 ISO in his rookie season and blasted 23 HR in 125 games. The other encouraging factor is that most of his power has come at home in the cavernous SD ballpark. Those of us who recommended grabbing him and actually picked him up after he was dropped in most leagues are enjoying great dividends right now.
Carl Crawford (OF-LAD)
Carl Crawford had a routine day off today but his August performance has been very encouraging. A combination of injuries and a crowded Dodger outfield situation has limited him to 78 games this season. But since 8/1, he is batting .338 with 11 runs scored and 6 SB's and is seeing much more regular playing time. The power has still been limited with only 1 HR in this streak but he is working hard and his production is being rewarded. The speed he has shown on the base paths is especially useful this time of year and he is still available in 55% of CBS Leagues. Hector Rondon (CL-Cubs)
Hector Rondon picked up his 20th save and 5th save since the beginning of August. During this surge his K rate has dropped to just over 6 K/9 but his ERA was a wonderful 1.29. Overall, he has averaged 9.48 K/9 innings. He is up to 50 innings pitched this season and has already appeared in more games than last year. Perhaps he is a bit tired even if the results have been very good. While his fastball velocity has held firm the results the swinging strike rate on his secondary pitches has declined significantly this month. Rondon has not pitched more than 55 innings in a season since 2009 when he was still a starter in the minors. I'd keep an eye on his K rate to see if he gets his 2nd wind.
@stevietheshu
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